Celebrating our indigenous languages

Celebrating our indigenous languages

Celebrating our indigenous languages

January 28 saw the official launch of the 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages, and a Kiwi tech company is leading the way in the development of these languages globally.

The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages in order to raise global attention on the critical risks confronting indigenous language and its significance for sustainable development, reconciliation, good governance and peace building.

Celebrating IYIL2019 will help promote and protect indigenous languages and improve the lives of those who speak them. It will contribute to achieving the objectives set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.

Drawing on years of experience collaborating with indigenous groups in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Kiwa Digital CEO Steven Renata welcomed the global attention and the focus on self-determination, telling Scoop:

“With many indigenous languages critically endangered, this new forum is crucial. Fortunately, it comes at a time when technology is opening up exciting new opportunities for indigenous groups, with immersive technology allowing them to communicate indigenous perspectives in unique new ways,” Renata says.

To support the aspirations of the Year, the company is introducing a new technology programme, the Indigenous Media Toolkit, to boost indigenous media development globally.

The technology programme will help indigenous groups establish Technology Hubs where they can develop the capability to publish their own stories in their own voices. Kiwa Digital will support set-up, training, licensing, asset curation and capability development.

The first international project is underway at Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Languages Centre in Western Australia, with the support of an Australian Government Federal Grant. It is aligned with the UN’s goals to make concrete improvement in the lives of indigenous peoples by strengthening the capacities of indigenous language speakers and relevant indigenous peoples’ organisations.

“The goal is to bring the expertise, knowledge and sensitivity of our elders into the digital age. This will ensure cultural continuity, where our young people remain strong in retaining their Aboriginal language, culture and history,” explains Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Languages Centre Manager Julie Walker.

“We recognise the importance of indigenous groups building their own strengths so that the perspectives of indigenous peoples can be communicated authentically.” adds Renata.

The company is the first in the world to offer this specialised product for indigenous organisations.

Also in the pipeline for Kiwa Digital in 2019 are an internship programme for rangatahi Maori and a series of apps that tell New Zealand histories.